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                  <p class="p_Heading1"><span class="f_Heading1">UML Patterns</span></p>



  
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<p class="p_SubHeadingL1"><span class="f_SubHeadingL1">What is a Pattern?</span></p>
<p class="p_BodyText"><span class="f_BodyText">Patterns are parameterized collaborations; that is, they are a group of collaborating Objects/Classes that can be abstracted from a general set of modeling scenarios. Patterns are an excellent means of achieving re-use and building in robustness. As patterns are discovered in any new project, the basic Pattern template from previous engagements can be re-used with the appropriate variable names modified for the current project.</span></p>
<p class="p_BodyText"><span class="f_BodyText">Patterns generally describe how to solve an abstract problem, and it is the task of the Pattern user to modify the Pattern elements to meet the demands of the current engagement.</span></p>
<p class="p_BodyText"><span class="f_BodyText">Before using a Pattern it must first be <a href="creatingpatterns.htm">created</a> as a standard UML diagram and then saved as an XML Pattern file. This XML file can then be <a href="importapattern.htm">imported</a> as a UML Resource that can be <a href="useapattern.htm">used</a> in any model.</span></p>
<p class="p_SubHeadingL1"><span class="f_SubHeadingL1">Sparx-Created GoF Patterns</span></p>
<p class="p_BodyText"><span class="f_BodyText">To get you started with Design Patterns in Enterprise Architect, Sparx Systems provide you with a zip file containing the Patterns described in the book </span><span class="f_BodyText" style="font-style: italic;">Design Patterns - Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software </span><span class="f_BodyText">by Gamma et al., referred to as the 'Gang of Four' or GoF. Download this zip file of the Gang of Four Patterns for Enterprise Architect from </span><span class="f_BodyText"><a href="http://www.sparxsystems.com/uml_patterns.html" target="_blank" class="weblink">www.sparxsystems.com/uml_patterns.html</a></span><span class="f_BodyText">.</span></p>




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